News

14.05.2006

Evening News Act 10 Day 4

Alinghi wins against Germany and Loick Peyron visits
Alinghi’s first match against United Internet Team Germany finally got away at 1600 after a long postponement, the Swiss team entered the starting box on starboard, dominated the pre-start and led over the line by just 1 second. Alinghi chose the favoured right hand side and powered away from UITG to round the 1st windward mark 53 seconds out in front. A smooth hoist and downwind march, still holding the right, saw Alinghi go through the leeward gate 59 seconds ahead. Alinghi extended the advantage to a comfortable 1 minute 21 seconds at the 2nd top mark and finished 1 minute 12 seconds ahead. Murray Jones, traveler and strategist, spent his day riding high up the rig looking for what little breeze there was out there: “I’m up there looking for differences in wind speed, looking for the ripples. I’m calling whether to go left or right to keep in the fresher winds.” Manager for the weather team Jon Bilger gave his take on the conditions: “It’s been light all week with a lot of easterlies which is the lighter sea breeze. Today, however, was a bit lighter than expected with the gradient from the North East hampering the sea breeze coming in. It was a long wait but it eventually came in with nine knots, enough for one race but not two.”

The second match of the day against Team Shosholoza was postponed due to light wind conditions and will be raced tomorrow morning, followed by the scheduled match against BMW ORACLE Racing.

Ashore, Loick Peyron, famous multi-hull sailor dropped by the Alinghi camp to see his friend, syndicate head Ernesto Bertarelli and some of the Alinghi team members, such as ex-multi-hull mainsail trimmer Yann Gouniot, who raced with him on Fuji. “I have known the Alinghi campaign for a few years now, not the America’s Cup Alinghi, but the Alinghi trimarans. I met Ernesto ten years ago on the multi-hull circuit on Lake Leman.”

He holds the Defender in high esteem: “Alinghi is the summit of professionalism for me. The team sets a high example both on the water and ashore.”